José Cheo Feliciano, a vocalist celebrated for his romantic salsa style, launched his musical journey at a young age by leaving high school at 17 to observe New York’s leading salsa orchestras up close. Passion for the city’s Latin music world secured him a valet position with Tito Rodríguez, one of its most prominent singers, and that association led to an audition with bandleader Joe Cuba. Feliciano soon took the vocal role in Cuba’s sextet and appeared on 17 albums issued by Seeco and Tico throughout the 1950s and 1960s. By 1965 he was performing independently with several of New York’s foremost salsa ensembles and Latin artists, among them Eddie Palmieri.
Following a brief withdrawal from performing, he resurfaced in 1972 as a member of Fania Records’ All-Stars and spent the next decade releasing solo recordings on the label. A further resurgence arrived in 1990 when RMM Records signed him; those releases, like his earlier work, centered on his sensual, passionate vocal approach. In 2008 he received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Latin Grammy Awards. He maintained an active schedule of tours and occasional recordings until Thursday, April 17, 2014, when, driving alone in Puerto Rico, he lost control of his vehicle and struck a light pole, dying instantly at age 78. Tributes mourning the loss arrived from around the world.
